International Round-Up: October 2015 (Part 1)

Paul McShane (Republic of Ireland)

The Royals' centre-back was an unused substitute during Ireland's stunning win over Germany on Thursday night. It was a former Royal, Shane Long, who grabbed the all-important goal to seal a 1-0 victory.

You'd have thought the Irish deserve automatic qualification after overcoming the World Champions... but sadly that's not how it works. Assuming Germany read the script this time and overcome Georgia, McShane and co have to either beat Poland in Warsaw, or draw 2-2 or higher, in order to get second place in the group and seal their place in Euro 2016. Anything else and it's a two legged play-off for a trip to France next year.

As for the under 21's, Sean Long played the full ninety and Shane Griffin came on as a second-half substitute, as Noel King's side overcame Lithuania 3-0 to make it three wins out of three in their qualifying for the UEFA U21 Championships.

Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland)

Congratulations to Norwood and the rest of the squad as they sealed qualification for their first major tournament in 30 years! It was a 3-1 victory against Greece which secured their place with one game to spare, and Norwood grabbed an assist for the second as his corner was headed home by Josh Magennis. Northern Ireland will top Group F if they get a point in Finland on Sunday in their final qualifier.

(Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Ali Al Habsi (Oman)

Al Habsi's Oman side could only draw 1-1 with Iran as they sit second in their qualifying group behind their opponents on Thursday, albeit only on goal difference. With the winners automatically going through to the third round of qualifying and only the best four of eight runners-up getting a place in that next stage too, Oman will almost certainly have to pick up a result in the return leg in March next year. They face Guam next on Tuesday.

Paolo Hurtado (Peru)

Hurtado played the last ten minutes as Peru fell to Colombia 2-0 in their first qualifying match for the World Cup 2018. Teo Gutierrez and Edwin Cardona grabbed the goals for the home side. Next up for Peru, it's Copa America champions Chile at home on Tuesday.

Chris Gunter and Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales)

(Srdjan Stefanovic/Getty Images)

Despite defeat in Zenica, Wales managed to secure qualification to Euro 2016 thanks to Israel losing in Cyprus. Milan Djuric and Vedid Ibisevic grabbed the goals which gave Bosnia-Herzegovina a 2-0 win and helped them edge closer to securing third place in Group B, but for Wales, the planes/ferries/Eurostar can be booked already. Chris Gunter played the full ninety and told the BBC:

"It is disappointing to lose tonight but we have waited 65 years for this. This means more than a game of football. It's a special feeling.

"We knew we could qualify last month and we had to wait but it will be a good night. There are 40 people here who have worked hard for two or three years."

Hal Robson-Kanu also started and was subbed in the 84th minute for ex-Royal Simon Church. Wales' final match of their qualification campaign comes on Tuesday as they host Andorra, in what's sure to be a party atmosphere.

Danny Williams (USA)

Danny was an unused substitute as the US lost in extra time to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup Final. 3-2 the final score, the winner from Paul Aguilar one worthy of winning any match.

The result means that Mexico, this year's Gold Cup winners, will be CONCACAF's representative in next summer's Confederations Cup, Williams' USA side, meanwhile, have to pick themselves up to face Costa Rica on Tuesday in a friendly rubber.

We'll be back in a few days for part two of the round-up!